A 52-year-old man was arrested on Thursday on suspicion of attempting to cross more than nine pounds of cocaine at the Paso Del Norte international crossing, officials said.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers and Border Patrol agents were doing a sweep of vehicles at about 10:45 a.m. at the port of entry when a drug-sniffing dog alerted them to a 2005 Volkswagen Beetle, CBP officials said. Further investigation revealed a non-factory compartment in the radiator of the vehicle.

Officers drilled into the compartment and allegedly found four bundles filled with cocaine, officials said. The amount of cocaine found was about 9.8 pounds and had a value estimated at $307,200, officials said.

Samuel Alberto Prieto, of El Paso, was arrested on suspicion of drug smuggling in connection with the cocaine. He was booked into El Paso County Jail.

"Smuggling organizations will use every imaginable method to get the narcotics through our international ports of entry," said Hector Mancha, CBP El Paso Port Director, in a statement. "This seizure compliments the focus and hard work that all our officers and agents put forth each and every day."